From this Saturday at 12am Eastern, that’s 6pm Saturday in NZ, 4pm in Sydney and 5am in the UK, and repeated every four hours throughout the day, it’s the described movies Zulu from 1964, and Alfie from 1966.
Zulu is a 1964 British epic war film depicting the Battle of Rorke's Drift between the British Army and the Zulus in January 1879, during the Anglo-Zulu War.
It shows how 150 British soldiers, 30 of whom were sick and wounded patients in a field hospital, successfully held off a force of 4,000 Zulu warriors.
The film is notable for showing the Zulu army as disciplined and governed by strategy.
The film was directed by American screenwriter Cy Endfield and produced by Stanley Baker and Endfield, with Joseph E. Levine as executive producer.
The screenplay was by Endfield and historical writer John Prebble, based on Prebble's 1958 Lilliput article "Slaughter in the Sun".
The film stars Baker and introduces Michael Caine, in his first major role, with a supporting cast that includes Jack Hawkins, Ulla Jacobsson, James Booth, Nigel Green, Paul Daneman, Glynn Edwards, Ivor Emmanuel, and Patrick Magee.
Zulu chief and future South African political leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi played Zulu King Cetshwayo kaMpande, his great-grandfather.
The opening and closing narration is spoken by Richard Burton.
The film was first shown on the 85th anniversary of the actual battle, 22 January 1964, at the Plaza Theatre in the West End of London.
In 2017 a poll of 150 actors, directors, writers, producers, and critics for Time Out magazine ranked it the 93rd best British film ever.
Directed by: Cy Endfield.
Screenplay by: John Prebble and Cy Endfield.
Story by: John Prebble.
Produced by: Stanley Baker and Cy Endfield.
Starring: Stanley Baker, Jack Hawkins, Ulla Jacobsson, James Booth, and Michael Caine.
Narrated by: Richard Burton.
Cinematography: Stephen Dade.
Edited by: John Jympson.
Music by: John Barry.
Production Company: Diamond Films.
Distributed by: Paramount Pictures.
Release date: 22 January 1964.
File Length: 132 minutes.
Country: United Kingdom.
Language: English.
Budget: US$1,720,000. (666,554. GBP).
Box office: $8 million (US).
Alfie is a 1966 British romantic comedy-drama film directed by Lewis Gilbert and starring Michael Caine.
It is an adaptation by Bill Naughton of his own 1966 novel and 1963 play of the same name.
The film was released by Paramount Pictures.
Alfie tells the story of a young womanising man who leads a self-centred life, purely for his own enjoyment, until events force him to question his uncaring behaviour, his loneliness, and his priorities. He cheats on numerous women, and despite his confidence towards women, he treats them with disrespect and refers to them as "it", using them for sex and for domestic purposes.
Alfie frequently breaks the fourth wall by speaking directly to the camera narrating and justifying his actions.
His words often contrast with or totally contradict his actions.
The film had its World Premiere at the Plaza Theatre in the West End of London on 24 March 1966.
Directed by: Lewis Gilbert.
Screenplay by: Bill Naughton.
Based on: Alfie: by Bill Naughton.
Produced by: Lewis Gilbert.
Starring: Michael Caine, Millicent Martin, Julia Foster, Jane Asher, Shirley Anne Field, Vivien Merchant, Eleanor Bron, and Shelley Winters.
Cinematography: Otto Heller.
Edited by: Thelma Connell.
Music by: Sonny Rollins.
Production Company: Sheldrake Films.
Distributed by: Paramount Pictures.
Release dates: 24 March 1966 (UK) and 24 August 1966 (US).
File Length: 107 minutes.
Country: United Kingdom.
Language: English.
Budget: $800,000.
Box office: $18.8 million.
Any questions, comments, or ideas for future described movies: e-mail me: anthony at mushroomfm dot com (e-mail address written that way to cut down on
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Enjoy the movies,
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